麻豆约拍

2005 will be remembered as the year that the big shots in business and finance finally decided to venture back into the risky world of the internet. For evidence of that - you only have to look at the share price of Google, which continued to rise. General Motors, the world's biggest car maker, announced it will axe jobs as American consumers turn to German and Japanese manufacturers. Trade talks in Hong Kong made limited progress with many countries wanting Europe to further reduce its farm subsidies. The former WorldCom boss was convicted in the biggest accounting fraud trial in US history. A report from the British government's commission for Africa on trying to reverse economic decline in Africa faced criticism for not focussing on the lives of ordinary Africans. Tyre maker Michelin, which makes 20% of the world's tyres, reaffirmed its commitment to manufacturing in France.

(Picture: A Google sign near offices at Mountain View, California. Credit: Getty Images)